Monday, May 25, 2015

M3 Vampire Traits: Charisma

The
vampire’s charisma, which branches out to mesmerization and even telepathy, is
a staple of the mythos. Nearly every vampire story will make mention of a
vampire’s eyes, and how the gaze is inescapable. This charisma is part of what
makes them attractive and romantic figures, but its roots are in the vampire’s
predator nature.

Like any
good hunter, they’ve adapted traits which make it easier for them to catch
prey. Unlike most predators, who rely solely on strength or speed, vampires
operate differently. The use of strength and speed are necessary for predators
who stand out from the prey. A cheetah is only able to get so close to an
antelope because it is clearly something different from an antelope. Vampires,
however, blend in to society. They can masquerade as human, and most are none
the wiser. It’s also important to note that humanity is not an easy prey. When
confronted with an enemy, humans are quick to come together and dispatch these
enemies. Simply watch a small tribe of hunters take down elephants, lions,
tigers, bears, or any other beast. Humanity doesn’t play the prey very well. We
fight back, and we have numbers.

The
vampire’s charisma, however, makes all of that moot. They blend in, passing for
human, and then select a desirable prey and strip that victim away from the
protection of society. They further strip the victim of the intuition and sense
that might warn of danger. After all, the vampire is desirable, and not just
physically. They possess grace, wit, and often wealth, all of which aid in
their hunting. And like most predators, they are cunning and freely employ
these attributes to become desirable to the victim, encouraging him or her to join
with the vampire, frequently leading to sex, which we’ve already covered in
enough detail.

Victorian
literature may have played up the vampire’s charisma and sexuality as a
reflection of the times, but the mythos clearly supports it as a trait
reflective of the vampire’s true nature: a cunning predator.